I plan to leave my mark on the baseball world; this is where it all begins.

Manny Ramirez to the Yankees?

A report surfaced on the Hot Stove a few days ago which said “The New York Daily News cites a source that Manny Ramirez is expecting a deal from the Yankees”. Anther newspaper from the Dominican Republic said that Ramirez is on the verge of signing a three year $75 million dollar contract.

Whoa back up a second. Remember 2004? We all know the story, the one where the Red Sox came back from being down three games to none to win the ALCS, a seemingly impossible feat, and then went on to win the World Series. Well in that ALCS, the future World Series MVP of that year, Manny Ramirez, said that he would NEVER go to the Yankees no matter what. Does that quote remind you of anyone?

If not, here he is:

The guy who embodied the Red Sox, the guy who looked like Jesus, and the guy who many Red Sox fans believed to be Jesus. Well on December 21, 2005, he broke all of our hearts. He betrayed us, he went back on his word, and he went to the Yankees. Well, I was absolutely devestated when that happened. I refused food, and I wouldn’t talk for a while.

But this could be worse. Manny played with us for seven and a half years. We all loved Manny. We all loved his carefree spirit, we loved how he would go into the Green Monster to eat a sandwich during the middle of a game, we loved him, and he loved us.

So I’m going to tell you a story, it happened at my first game at Fenway. It was around the eighth inning, and my best friend and I had moved down to the second row behind the batter’s box (on the Red Sox side). So it was the bottom of the eighth inning, and Big Papi and Manny Ramirez walked out together, smiling. So my friend and I stood up and started screaming, and waving our hands frantically; so both Papi and Manny smiled and waved back. Alright, alright, I teared up a little.

The second part of the story happened two nights after that, when my friend and I somehow, by the glory of God, got tickets on the Monstah. I have to tell you, walking up there, I was bouncing up and down, so the ticket guy asked me if I was alright. I told him I was better than alright. So we get up there, and of course I’m astounded by the view. Our seats were in the back row, but still that’s only three rows back. We were right above left field, right above Manny’s position! So every inning when he came out, I would stand up, jump up and down, scream, and wave. And every inning, he’d take is glove and wave back.

Johnny Damon was my favorite player when he was on the Sox, and he broke my heart (and I’m still not over it), and Manny Ramirez was my favorite player. Admittedly, I’m a bit mad at him for leaving the way he did, causing all the trouble and what not, but still, I love him. I defended him countless times against everyone who ever said that he was a lazy d-bag. And now, another one of my favorite players might be going to the Yankees, after he said he wouldn’t? Look Manny, I can take you going anywhere else, but I can’t take you going to the Yankees.

I’d have to destroy the statue I made of you in seventh grade. I’d have to change everything I have that has to do with you. But the problem is, I can’t really erase the memory of you waving at me, because that has been one of the best memories I have.

Elizabeth – Manny will be Manny and do whatever he cares to do regardless of what he said. I have always appreciated Manny’s skill, but I’m sorry, in Little League they teach the kids to run out each hit to first base. Manny has gotten too “big for his britches” and if he ends up with the Yanks – the boos will be as loud for him as they were for Damon.

I love your stories about your trips to Fenway, Elizabeth. They’re very touching and I can totally relate to them. And I can well understand how you felt when Damon went to the Yankees after saying he wouldn’t. But refusing food? Even at my most heartbroken, I’ve never done that!

Nice entry! Now that Tex is with the Yankees, I don’t see why they will need Manny too. That is plain unfair for the Yankees to get all the good players. They look like they are going to be absurdly good next year…but you never know.http://kaybee.mlblogs.com

I agree Kaybee. Flat out unfair. I know it is hard Elizabeth, when you have a favorite player and they get traded or sign somewhere else. I remember when I met Kyle Davies when he played for the Richmond Braves. He was a class act guy that would stand and sign autographs for hours if he had time. Then he got traded to the Royals for a rental. He wasn’t a top of the line pitcher but I really like him. He was a great person not just a good player.http://hardballblog.mlblogs.com/

Nice story !!! … It had to be “awesome” watching a game at Fenway, sitting in the Green Monster seats !!! … Well, I know how you feel about having your favorite players traded away … My favorite Yankee player of all-time is Bobby Murcer, and when the Yankees traded him to the S.F. Giants for “Bobby” Bonds, I was devastated !!! … Bonds only played for the Yankees “one” year, and I was so happy when the Yankees traded him at the end of that year !!! … But, after playing for the Giants, and, then, the Cubs, the Yankees brought Murcer back to the Bronx in the middle of the 1979 season, which made most Yankee fans, including myself, very happy … Bobby played for the Yanks a few more years, and when the Yankees needed to open up a roster spot for a young rookie, Don Mattingly, Yankees owner, George Steinbrenner asked Murcer if he would retire, and become a member of the Yankees broadcast team … Bobby Murcer, said, “yes”, and continued as a Yankees broadcaster up to this past season, when he passed away after a long battle with brain cancer … So, Murcer will be greatly missed, but the memories will always be alive in the hearts of all Yankee fans !!! … Now, I don’t think the Red Sox will bring Manny back to Boston, but at least, he will not be signed by the Yankees, since, the Yankees great move, signing Mark Teixeira !!! … It will be a “fun” 2009 baseball season; and, most of all, I look forward to all the games that will be played between the Yankees and Red Sox, the greatest “rivalry” in the history of baseball, and all sports !!! … Elizabeth, thanks for your visits to by mlblog this past month; and, Best Wishes, to you and your family, for a Very Merry Christmas and a Very Happy Holiday Season !!! ….. Jimmy [27NYY] http://baseballtheyankeesandlife.mlblogs.com/

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